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Sharjeel Khan replacing Sami Aslam in the Test XI at Sydney - the right decision?

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Abdullah719

T20I Captain
Joined
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Sharjeel is making his debut at Sydney with Sami dropped after a string of low scores.

After Sami's performances before this series, is it a good decision?
 
No. Not at all, Maybe Babar could have been dropped but surely not Sami.
 
Sami is struggling. Sharjeel is fit and in form. Flat pitch. Mitchell "Leg side half volley" Starc and Josh "Short and Wide" Hazlewood bowling. Azhar perfect foil to Sharjeel. I don't see why "Shaaj" won't succeed.
:sharjeel
 
Good decision. Sami was low on confidence. A failure in Sydney could have cost his place in test side for WI.

Also time to see if Sharjeel lives up to the hype created by his PP fans. I, for one, have serious doubts on his technique and consistency based on what I have seen of him in limited overs. But happy to be proven wrong. Best of luck to him.
 
He deserves a chance because Sami hasn't been performing. But I'm not sure if he will fare any better runs-wise. Just doesn't seem to have the right temperament to stay at the crease that the longer format requires. Also needs to add a few more shots to his arsenal. He's a very one-dimensional batsman.
He will probably score the same amount of runs about ten times faster than Sami though. so there's that.
 
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are we ever happy with any decision team makes ?
if we had gone with same team, then there would b line of qestions as well.
Sami Aslam is not going anywhere with this approach to batting in Australia. he does al lthe hard work but when its time to score, he gets out.
 
Sami has been dead man walking even when he has been scoring. On the face of it looks harsh, but the reality is that he is going backwards at the rate of knots, his hands are too low and he crouches too much.
 
AliMurtaza said:
Good decision. Sami was low on confidence. A failure in Sydney could have cost his place in test side for WI.

Also time to see if Sharjeel lives up to the hype created by his PP fans. I, for one, have serious doubts on his technique and consistency based on what I have seen of him in limited overs. But happy to be proven wrong. Best of luck to him.
Click to expand...

Same thoughts. His technique in particular is tepid and personally I find it hard to believe that he can construct a proper innings unless it's a rapid 30 odd or a quickfire 50.
 
Don't mind this move at all and Sharjeel in Tests will be very interesting.

Having said that, Sami should remain in the squad for the next 2-3 years and should be given confidence. He's a great prospect, and is one that will go far if given confidence.
 
Strange thing about Sami is that he does the hardest job of seeing off the new ball with two of the world's most lethal pacers bowling from opposite ends. And has a great defense, which is a real rarity for a Pakistani opener.
But when it's time to carry on and get a big score he gets out.
 
Sami Aslam is a very good opener.

Sad he's been asked to sit. An innings on this flat track would have done both his and Pakistans future good. Would have given him a lot of confidence.
 
I was annoyed by the decision to drop Sami, he's had a poor tour but he's a young kid with the potential to be a very good test opener and we need to persevere with him.
 
Sami should be in the squad for atleast 2 more years. He will learn and can come up as a better player. Age is on his side.

Not sure if Sharjeel can be a good test player or not. He aint Warner level. Hope Pak will come ip eith another opener in the upcoming series.
 
Sharjeel Khan is a positive face at the top of the order but dropping Sami Aslam is a horrendous move.

This will ruin the kid's confidence forever. Have Pakistani fans already forgotten his recent 90 in New Zealand, and his patient negotiations of the tricky conditions in England?
 
Makes no difference when both are of equal ability. Reminds me when we kept juggling between the likes of Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir and Taufeeq Umar with none doing the business. I don't expect anything more the 20 from Sharjeel. Sami is another subcontinent opener who will never succeed abroad though most here will keep insisting that he'll eventually come good.
 
Harsh as it may seem, Sami needed this wake up call. I get the impression that he is playing for himself and not for the team.
 
PakLFC said:
Makes no difference when both are of equal ability. Reminds me when we kept juggling between the likes of Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir and Taufeeq Umar with none doing the business. I don't expect anything more the 20 from Sharjeel. Sami is another subcontinent opener who will never succeed abroad though most here will keep insisting that he'll eventually come good.
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if Sharjeel's run output is same as Sami then his selection is an almighty waste

25(20) doesnt help at all

25(60) atleast wastes precious overs with the new ball
 
Don't mind this decision but can't understand the logic of playing Imran Khan over Asghar
 
Well they had to try something different. I dont mind this change because the series is already lost. A new batting approach can be tried in this game to get an idea of how to go forward. Pointless trying the same things over and over again.
 
Very harsh on Sami Aslam, who has pretty much done everything he could have.

And I just don't understand in which universe you would select Sharjeel Khan for a Test at Sydney ahead of Salman Butt.

So this selection highlights the lack of accountability and vendettas which destroy Pakistan cricket.
 
Meh, dead rubber anyway but I would have stuck with Aslam. I just hope they don't drop Aslam from the next squad because he is one of the best young batsmen in the country, we need to stick with him. If Sharjeel fails this match (likely, Starc will eat him up) give Butt a go in WI and so you have 3 opening choices in the squad of 15 or what have you ie Butt, Azhar and Aslam
 
Sami Aslam might end up becoming Jamshed 2.0. He was solid but unspectacular in England and showed good defence in Australia and NZ. He needs more shots to become more complete but he is promising. If anything, Misbah should have been dropped to make way for Sharjeel as Misbah has been completely useless in this whole series.
 
I am more thinking along the lines of this scenario:

1.) This is surely Misbah's last test match . . (I am 99% sure of that) . . the remaining 1% because he is Pakistani at the end of the day :)

2.) I'd like Azhar Ali to drop back down to number 3 after Misbah is gone and Babar to 4 and if Younis decides to stay, Younis at 5

3.) In that case, I'd like to Sami to remain . . and if Sharjeel can show some promise . . it'd be ideal to have Sharjeel and Sami open with Azhar back at 3
 
Why has Sami been dropped? He hasn't been terrible, may be not great...This ill hurt his confidence
 
hadi123 said:
Meh, dead rubber anyway but I would have stuck with Aslam. I just hope they don't drop Aslam from the next squad because he is one of the best young batsmen in the country, we need to stick with him. If Sharjeel fails this match (likely, Starc will eat him up) give Butt a go in WI and so you have 3 opening choices in the squad of 15 or what have you ie Butt, Azhar and Aslam
Click to expand...

Among butt and asif, there can be a case made for only one person. And it isnt butt.
 
Sharjeel and Sami Aslam both should open in West Indies. The lineup looking like this:

1. Sami Aslam
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Younis Khan
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfaraz
8. Yasir Shah
9. Amir
10. Hassan Ali
11. Mir Hamza
 
No point in giving players Test tours if you don't want to Test them.

Sami was very low on confidence and needed a break. He should be persisted with.

With Misbah & Younis retiring Azhar might move back to number 3.

So,

Salman, Sharjeel, Ahsan, Imam will be fighting for the 2nd opener spot or for the reserve 3rd opener.


So it's good to test Sharjeel in a series we have lost already.


Sharjeel's fitness is a huge concern.

Can he be Sanath, Gayle, Sehwag or Warner ?
 
Looking forward to see him play,just hope he doesn't get out first ball :afridi
 
Seamer said:
Sharjeel and Sami Aslam both should open in West Indies. The lineup looking like this:

1. Sami Aslam
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Younis Khan
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfaraz
8. Yasir Shah
9. Amir
10. Hassan Ali
11. Mir Hamza
Click to expand...

With your chosen XI, I would prefer this lineup:

1. Azhar
2. Sami
3. Babar
4. Younis
5. Shafiq
6. Sharjeel
7. Sarfraz *+
8. Hasan
9. Amir
10. Yasir
11. Hamza
 
There are for and against arguments for dropping him but he should remain with the team and be given a long rope. The team management hopefully were in the best position to decide if Sami should play however there will be more pressure on him to perform after being dropped, that can be a good or a bad thing.
 
Mamoon said:
With your chosen XI, I would prefer this lineup:

1. Azhar
2. Sami
3. Babar
4. Younis
5. Shafiq
6. Sharjeel
7. Sarfraz *+
8. Hasan
9. Amir
10. Yasir
11. Hamza
Click to expand...

They have been grooming Azhar as the Test Captain, he will get the strap. And why is Sharjeel in your line up that too at no.6 when Sami is being played?
 
Drop your 2nd best young player for a lottery guy.

I would have dropped YK or even Misbah (self drop) and play Sharjeel.

Sami Aslam is pretty decent opener. One of the best I have seen in a long long time in wearing Pak hat. Can't drop promising youngsters for wild cards.

My guess is Sharjeel will score a quick fire 20 or 30 and will top edge one off Starc's or Hazlewood's bowling.

Pak should persist with Aslam and Azam. These 2 are the future.
 
Seamer said:
Sharjeel and Sami Aslam both should open in West Indies. The lineup looking like this:

1. Sami Aslam
2. Sharjeel Khan
3. Azhar Ali
4. Babar Azam
5. Younis Khan
6. Asad Shafiq
7. Sarfaraz
8. Yasir Shah
9. Amir
10. Hassan Ali
11. Mir Hamza
Click to expand...

Hasan Ali definitely deserves a chance in Tests. Pakistan need to throw out Sohail.
 
I don't think Sami has a long term future with the national team. He looks a very timid and uncomfortable player.

I'm glad Sharjeel is getting a chance.
 
People will be impressed. I've watched a few of Sharjeels test innings and he doesn't go all guns blazing like some suggest.

He leaves some balls outside off but the ones in his range he will attack. Should retain a SR around 95-110.
 
Abdullah719 said:
Sharjeel is making his debut at Sydney with Sami dropped after a string of low scores.

After Sami's performances before this series, is it a good decision?
Click to expand...

absolutely.. this is a dead rubber use your bench strenths to see how they fare.. sami hasn't really got going in the series but he is one for the future we know that.. but lets give the guys a try to see how they fare.. and also LOIs are coming up so that would give Sharjeel some outing
 
shaz619 said:
They have been grooming Azhar as the Test Captain, he will get the strap. And why is Sharjeel in your line up that too at no.6 when Sami is being played?
Click to expand...

It is Seamer's team, not mine. I reshuffled the batting order because that is what I would go with if I'm given that team.
 
arehaan said:
Don't mind this decision but can't understand the logic of playing Imran Khan over Asghar
Click to expand...

That is horrendous. Moreover ppl thought he is the real Imran Khan and will do wonders in Aus. Was baffled to see many ppers questioning his exclusion in the first 2 tests. Bowling at a trundling pace of 120-125kph is painful to watch. :facepalm:
 
Will probably last two or three overs and hit a quickfire 18..including an audacious shot or two..the kiddies will salivate while azhar tries to save the day again..pp will be full I'd sharjeel threads e.g sharjeel vs kohl etc..
 
Atrocious decision.

Gulli cricketer who wouldn't be selected for any good first class team in England/Aus/Ind but he can play ahead of Sami who has shown really impressive temperament.

With a leash so short, after his promising series in England, it's not going to help a bright young-ish talent.
 
Relax people. Give the guy a break. His first damn test, 500 on the board, cloud cover, away from home, against a class opening attack. That was just a nervous shot and you could tell that from his face.
 
Not that Sharjeel got out for a low score but his dismissal shows why selecting this guy was a joke. His last first class hundred was in 2013/14. Shame on Inzi and co. and dirt on the face of all those who wanted him to open for Pakistan in tests. He has an average of 28 in Odis and people want him to succeed in test cricket. Amazing.
 
AliMurtaza said:
Not that Sharjeel got out for a low score but his dismissal shows why selecting this guy was a joke. His last first class hundred was in 2013/14. Shame on Inzi and co. and dirt on the face of all those who wanted him to open for Pakistan in tests. He has an average of 28 in Odis and people want him to succeed in test cricket. Amazing.
Click to expand...

Rubbish shot should never be selected again ever. He is t20 batsman
 
shouldn't be replaced for sami in the first place but fair enough just one innings from sharjeel...lets see in the second inns..
 
I might be biased but Sharjeel doesn't really look like a proper batsman, he looks so bad at the crease. It's sad because on this flatter pitch I'd like to see how Sami actually would do, so far he's played in mostly harder than average conditions for an asian opener and not done half bad. And as I said before, Sharjeel hasn't even done that well in ODIs and we're hyping him for tests? He looks too limited to even make the jump from T20s to ODIs.

Sharjeel might do well second innings who knows. But he doesn't look like a guy who can do well and bat about the new ball in trickier conditions. Sami has already done that in his short career. If you want someone who can bash teams on flat pitches and in the UAE, you might as well go back to Hafeez.

Out of all the openers we've tried over the last decade or so (we've tried a lot), Sami looks the best. Hope he's back in the team sooner than later.
 
I don't mind him being picked in the team except not in place of Sami he should have replaced Misbah and batted at no 6.
 
Sami Aslam is a tailender and no good for any sort of format and Sharjeel is a pinch hitter suitable for T20 and ODI not test.
 
I think sharjeel needs to come in to the test team, maybe at number six. While Sami should stay. If only the uncles would retire.....
 
With some beginner's luck he can be the Sehwag of Pakistan if all goes well. Plays in a very similar way from what I saw of him in the WT20 and ODIs.
 
Varun said:
With some beginner's luck he can be the Sehwag of Pakistan if all goes well. Plays in a very similar way from what I saw of him in the WT20 and ODIs.
Click to expand...

He might get that. We play West Indies next who are usually an indisciplined lot
 
Abdullah719 said:
Second innings insha'Allah.
Click to expand...


InshaAllah. Even if it doesn't happen it was worth a try. No point selecting players if you don't want to test them in place of failing players or players not in good form or having low confidence when the series is already lost.
 
Sharjeel is too flat footed. You're asking for trouble by playing away from the body like that with no foot movement against the new ball.
 
Sharjeel can be accommodated, but if you move Azhar to #3.

Sami Aslam is probably the world's best opener right now in seaming/swing conditions. Azhar is damn good too. Both can't be dropped.

But for firepower, Azhar needs to move to #3.
 
Markhor said:
Sharjeel is too flat footed. You're asking for trouble by playing away from the body like that with no foot movement against the new ball.
Click to expand...

This is not a problem at all for such batsmen who rely on hand eye coordination.

But for these kinds of batsmen, 2 things are very very necessary to be able to succeed. 1) Know your offstump, as fishing anything around 5th,6th stump line is just asking for trouble. 2) Commit to shot fully - all these flat footed players are basically stroke makers, in other words grip the bat harder than others, so they cannot really play with soft hands - so only chance for them to survive is to always commit fully whenever you play a shot.

In short, being flat footed is not the worst thing, but with lack of judgement it becomes even worse than tail enders..
 
Varun said:
With some beginner's luck he can be the Sehwag of Pakistan if all goes well. Plays in a very similar way from what I saw of him in the WT20 and ODIs.
Click to expand...

My views of incompleteness of Sehwag as batsman are apparent on this forum.

But Sharjeel isn't even a poor mans Sehwag
 
Slog said:
My views of incompleteness of Sehwag as batsman are apparent on this forum.
Click to expand...

I'm sure nobody - including Indian fans - will be debating that. Fact remains that Pakistan will take a Sehwag type of approach at the top of the order with both hands.
 
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